Researchers at Curtin University recently announced they will use an advanced machine learning tool to help identify undiscovered mineral deposits in Western Australia.
In collaboration with the Geological Survey of Western Australia, geochemical data collected from across the state will be analysed to reveal patterns that are not apparent using standard methods.
Lead researcher Dr Vladimir Puzyrev, from Curtin University’s School of Earth and Planetary Sciences, said researchers were using a machine learning technique called deep learning to help expand mineral exploration in Western Australia.
He said: “Deep learning methods are completing transforming the landscape of data analysis because they achieve unprecedented performance levels across various tasks, significantly reducing the manual labour and subjectivity present in more conventional methods of exploration.
“The ultimate aim of this research project is to help identify new mineral deposits in Western Australia by analysing big geochemical data using deep learning methods.”
Puzyrev said the project also offered additional potential applications including identifying the most cost-effective and innovative geochemical data analysis method for the treatment of samples.
He added: “More generally, this research project also opens up potential new avenues for future research that will also benefit the state’s mineral exploration sector.”
Researchers are analysing the Geological Survey of Western Australia’s Mineral Exploration (WAMEX) database which captures the state’s exploration project activities over many years.
Geological Survey of Western Australia project lead and senior geologist Dr Paul Duuring said the WAMEX database contained more than 50 million samples.
Duuring said: “There are time and cost challenges in the manual quality control of such large data, so this project is an important step towards adding value to existing digital geochemical datasets.
“An improved database opens new possibilities for Western Australia’s mineral exploration sector.”